Bangkok’s electronic music scene has changed considerably over the past decade. What was once a relatively small network of local DJs has grown into a much broader ecosystem of collectives, venues, record diggers and artists, increasingly connected not only within Thailand but across Asia. Few projects reflect that evolution as clearly as More Rice Records. During Trommel’s recent trip to Bangkok, following our latest collaboration at Bar Temp, we caught up with More Rice co-founder Sarayu at their record store, to talk about his own journey, the growth of the local scene and the different projects that have taken shape around him over the years.
Sarayu returned to Thailand from the UK in 2012, already several years into his relationship with electronic music. “I started DJing in 2008 when I was at university,” he explains. “Before that I was listening to a lot of electronic music already. Like many people from my generation, it started with things like Justice and Ed Banger, but I was also really into UK indie rock.” Studying in London opened the door much wider. “You were spoilt for choice. There was so much happening every weekend, so I was lucky enough to be exposed to a lot of different genres and clubs.”
When he returned to Bangkok, the landscape was quite different. “Back then there were a lot fewer locals playing,” he explains. “Now you see younger DJs coming through, people starting their own collectives and more DJs playing records. It’s definitely developed a lot, we have a really good ecosystem for DJs in Bangkok now.” That ecosystem has also become increasingly regional. Sarayu points to the period around the pandemic as an important turning point, when Asian artists and promoters began looking more closely towards neighbouring countries. “It expanded to the point where people can move around and play across the region more freely.”
Sarayu’s own contribution to that development is closely tied to More Rice, the label he founded with DOTT, another Bangkok mainstay. What started casually has gradually grown into one of the more recognisable platforms within Southeast Asia’s underground. “We started the label just for fun,” Sarayu recalls. “At the time there weren’t many labels in Thailand pressing records, so we thought, “why not?” It was a platform for us to release our own music and also music from other artists in Asia.”
More Rice now approaches its tenth anniversary, an important milestone for a project that began without any particular long-term plan. Over the years, its output has remained intentionally broad, moving through house, techno and the spaces in between rather than following one fixed sound. The label has also expanded physically. During the pandemic, Sarayu and the team opened the More Rice record store, a decision that initially felt uncertain but ultimately became another important piece of Bangkok’s electronic music infrastructure. “I was surprised by how well it went. It’s helped us a lot, career-wise and in general. It became a hub in Bangkok where guest DJs, international artists, regional DJs and locals can all come through.”
The same philosophy feeds into Bar Temp, another project closely connected to Sarayu, DOTT and their circle. The venue opened in 2025 and quickly developed into one of Bangkok’s most important new club spaces. “It happened really fast. We spoke with our partners for maybe three or four months and then suddenly it was open.” Trommel has already collaborated with the venue several times, including around its earliest weeks and again more recently. Bar Temp has exceeded expectations since then. “We’re very happy with it. Good sound, a good environment, quite relaxed and hopefully good music!”
Running a club in Bangkok is not without its difficulties. Tourism remains an important part of the city’s nightlife economy, meaning quieter periods can be challenging. “Low season can be tough,” Sarayu acknowledges. “There are also still very few clubs in Bangkok at the moment, but overall things are looking good.” For now, his attention remains firmly on developing what already exists rather than immediately expanding into another venue. “Nightlife-wise, this is it for now. We need to get this going really well first.”
There is, however, plenty happening musically. Sarayu continues to develop his own parties and bookings, with artists such as Tornado Wallace and Hidden Spheres among those scheduled to appear later in the year. At the same time, More Rice is preparing for its tenth anniversary in 2027. Plans are still being shaped, but the intention is to celebrate both in Bangkok and throughout the region. “In the meantime, we have our nine year anniversary on 31st October, a rooftop party with an afterparty elsewhere. We’ve booked a few artists from the region and friends involved with the label, so it should be a fun celebration.”
From the label side, a new VA release is also under discussion, as well as further vinyl releases including music from Japanese artist Rio Kawamoto (with a remix by DJ Tjizza) and a record from Sarayu and DOTT themselves.
When speaking about his inspirations, Sarayu explains how over the years he has been drawn towards DJs capable of moving freely between genres. He recalls Erol Alkan and the legendary Trash parties in London as an early influence, where electronic music and indie bands would often share the same night. Ivan Smagghe also became an important reference, while more recent inspirations include Manfredas, DJ Masda and Gonno. “Gonno is one of my favourites. I’m lucky that we’ve become good friends and I really respect him. He can play anything, anywhere.”
That openness towards different sounds is closely aligned with the way More Rice has developed. Rather than creating rigid musical boundaries, the project has consistently prioritised curiosity, digging and the exchange of ideas. Almost ten years on from the label’s beginnings, those values are now reflected throughout Bangkok’s wider scene. More DJs are playing, more collectives are emerging and the connections between Thailand and the rest of Asia continue to strengthen.
More info on Bar Temp.
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